General & Laparoscopic Surgery · David, Chiriquí, Panama

English-speaking surgeon in David, Chiriquí: precise, personal and built for fast recovery.

Dr. Daniel Carreira treats gallbladder disease, hernias, obesity and other surgical conditions with minimally invasive techniques — and stays with you from the first consultation through recovery.

Care in English, Spanish and German David, Chiriquí
Portrait of Dr. Daniel Carreira, general and laparoscopic surgeon in David, Chiriquí, Panama

Dr. Daniel Carreira

General & Laparoscopic Surgery

70

bariatric surgeries in the CSS Chiriquí program

as of Oct 2024

78%

of patients with significant weight loss

CSS program

2

private offices in David

3

languages: English, Spanish, German

Who is Dr. Daniel Carreira?

Dr. Daniel de Jesús Carreira de Obaldía is a general and laparoscopic surgeon in David, Chiriquí, Panama. He sees patients at Centro Médico Mae Lewis (office 309) and Centro Especializado David, and is a general surgeon on the bariatric surgery program at the CSS’s Hospital Dr. Rafael Hernández. He performs gallbladder, hernia, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, thyroid, breast and diabetic-foot surgery, and consults in English, Spanish and German.

Updated:

Dr. Daniel Carreira in General Surgery scrubs

Dr. Daniel Carreira

General & Laparoscopic Surgery
About the doctor

A surgeon who explains, accompanies and operates with precision.

Dr. Daniel Carreira specializes in General and Laparoscopic Surgery in David, the capital of Chiriquí province. His approach combines minimally invasive technique, enhanced-recovery (ERAS) protocols and clear communication, so every patient understands their diagnosis and options.

In the public sector he is part of the bariatric surgery team at Hospital Regional Dr. Rafael Hernández (CSS), which in 2024 reported results above the international standard. In private practice he sees patients at Centro Médico Mae Lewis and Centro Especializado David.

Committed to medical education, he leads suture workshops for medical students at the Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí (UNACHI).

Specialty
General & Laparoscopic Surgery
Offices
Centro Médico Mae Lewis (309) · Centro Especializado David
Hospital
Hospital Dr. Rafael Hernández — CSS
Languages
English · Español · Deutsch
Teaching
Suture workshops — UNACHI School of Medicine
Procedures

General and laparoscopic surgery, from consultation to recovery.

Minimally invasive surgery whenever possible, open surgery when it is the safest choice. Learn about each procedure, when it is indicated and what recovery looks like.

Most requested

Bariatric surgery

Laparoscopic gastric sleeve and gastric bypass to treat obesity and related diseases.

Learn more
Most requested

Gallbladder surgery

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones, biliary colic and cholecystitis.

Learn more
Most requested

Hernia repair

Mesh repair of inguinal, umbilical, epigastric and incisional hernias.

Learn more

Laparoscopic surgery

Minimally invasive abdominal surgery: less pain, tiny scars and a faster recovery.

Learn more

Thyroid surgery

Total or partial thyroidectomy for nodules, goiter and other thyroid disease.

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Breast surgery

Evaluation and surgical treatment of breast lumps, cysts, abscesses and biopsies.

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Lipoma & cyst removal

Outpatient removal of lipomas, sebaceous cysts and skin lesions under local anesthesia.

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Diabetic foot care

Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and infections to prevent amputation.

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Bariatric surgery in Chiriquí

Results above the international standard.

The bariatric surgery program at Hospital Dr. Rafael Hernández in David offers gastric sleeve and gastric bypass to CSS-insured patients. As the program’s general surgeon, Dr. Carreira takes part in patient evaluation, laparoscopic surgery and follow-up.

About bariatric surgery

Figures from the Hospital Dr. Rafael Hernández (CSS) program as reported to the press in October 2024.

El 78 % de los pacientes operados tuvieron pérdida significativa de peso, porcentaje superior, incluso, al estándar internacional.

78% of operated patients achieved significant weight loss — a rate even above the international standard.

— Dr. Daniel Carreira — SERTV / Nacional FM, Oct 2024
Los pacientes interesados en acceder a este servicio, brindado de forma gratuita por la Caja de Seguro Social, deben presentar una referencia de un médico general.

Patients interested in this service, provided free of charge by Social Security, must bring a referral from a general practitioner.

— CSS Press / Telemetro, Oct 27 2024
  1. Referral

    Your GP refers you, stating your level of obesity.

  2. Full evaluation

    Nutrition, psychology, endocrinology, cardiology and anesthesia.

  3. Laparoscopic surgery

    Gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, depending on your case.

  4. Follow-up

    Check-ups, nutrition and lifelong supplements.

Play video
Patient education

Restoring intestinal continuity, and ERAS protocols.

Dr. Carreira explains gastrointestinal reconstruction — closing a colostomy — how adhesions and the intestinal anastomosis are handled, and why nutrition within Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols improves recovery. (Video in Spanish.)

  • What restoring intestinal continuity involves
  • Adhesions and end-to-end anastomosis
  • Nutrition in ERAS protocols

Video by Dr. Daniel Carreira on gastrointestinal reconstruction and ERAS protocols

Teaching

Training Chiriquí’s future doctors.

In September 2026, Dr. Carreira led a hands-on suture workshop in the Anatomy Hall of the School of Medicine at the Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí (UNACHI), where students practiced suturing techniques with surgical instruments.

Source: @med10unachi, September 2026

Dr. Carreira teaching medical students at UNACHI
Surgical instruments and suture practice pad for the workshop
Dr. Carreira presenting a suture workshop certificate
UNACHI medical students with Dr. Carreira
Your journey

Four steps, one surgeon.

  1. Consultation

    History, physical exam and review of your tests. All your questions answered.

  2. Surgical plan

    Options, risks and preparation explained, with a personalized plan.

  3. Surgery

    Laparoscopic technique whenever possible, with enhanced-recovery protocols.

  4. Recovery

    Post-operative check-ups and direct communication until discharge.

FAQ

Clear answers before your visit.

Is there an English-speaking surgeon in David, Chiriquí?

Yes. Dr. Daniel Carreira is an English-speaking general and laparoscopic surgeon in David, Chiriquí, Panama. He sees patients at Centro Médico Mae Lewis (office 309, Vía Interamericana) and Centro Especializado David (Calle 3ra). Appointments: +507 6217-2551.

Which operations does Dr. Carreira perform?

Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), inguinal, umbilical and incisional hernia repair, diastasis recti repair, bariatric surgery (gastric sleeve and bypass), thyroid, breast, lipoma and cyst surgery, and diabetic-foot care — laparoscopic or open.

How do I book an appointment?

Message or call +507 6217-2551, or use the virtual assistant on this site. For Centro Especializado David you can also call +507 775-7575.

I live in Boquete — is David far?

David is about 40 minutes from Boquete by car. Dr. Carreira also sees patients from Volcán, Bugaba, Boca Chica, Puerto Armuelles and Bocas del Toro.

Does the doctor speak German?

Yes. Dr. Carreira consults in English, Spanish and German.

Does Panama’s CSS cover bariatric surgery in Chiriquí?

Yes, for insured patients at Hospital Dr. Rafael Hernández, free of charge, with a GP referral stating the level of obesity.

Contact

Book your consultation in David.

Message us on WhatsApp or call to schedule at either office.

Hospital affiliation

Hospital Regional Dr. Rafael Hernández L. (Caja de Seguro Social) — General surgeon, bariatric surgery program

Patients from all of western Panama

DavidBoqueteBugabaVolcánDolegaBoquerónGualacaAlanjeBarúPuerto ArmuellesSan FélixToléBocas del ToroComarca Ngäbe-Buglé
Consultorio 309

Centro Médico Mae Lewis

Vía Interamericana, across from Grupo Sílaba
David, Chiriquí, Panamá

Appointments: 6217-2551

By appointment

Directions

Centro Especializado David

Calle 3ra, down the street from Almacén El Campeón (former Clínica Cattán)
David, Chiriquí, Panamá

Front desk: 775-7575

Center WhatsApp: 6549-3807

By appointment

Directions